There are a lot of reasons to plant a church (a lot of them are wrong). First and foremost, God has called us to plant a church and that’s why we are so confident that this move, although incredibly risky, is what God wants us to do!
Now, for the story of how this all got started.
Thursday, June 23, 2011 – Something was bothering me all morning, so I took a walk around our neighborhood to pray and clear my head. I had a burden hovering over my soul, but I couldn’t pin-point what was going on. I was happy with what I was doing in youth ministry. It was a beautiful, summer day. But something wasn’t quite right in my soul. As I was walking, a thought crept into my mind. I actually felt as if God was asking me a question.
“What if I was calling you to plant and lead a church? What if I was equipping you to do something like that? Would you follow me?”
This was so weird. I had actually had talks of planting a church before with a few friends. But I had never (EVER) entertained the thought of leading something like that.
My burden turned into sharp fear. I sat down to write this in my journal (I didn’t have any resolution on this…it was really just a question/prayer).
January 2012 – I was fresh off Christmas break with my family. I came back early to go to Passion with our college students.
Little did I know that God would use those few days to teach me to trust in Him.
While the event was happening, God used 3 separate events to teach me something very personal. First, I met a homeless man who asked me for my socks. Second, God asked me to give to the offering that they were taking up that week. Third, I had the opportunity to take a dream job. These three events provide the background for what God was doing in the foreground (teaching me about faith, trust, boldness, and generosity).
Let’s start with the homeless gentleman. I was sitting in an underground food court early one morning. I had picked up a cup of pure joy from Caribou Coffee, and was sitting down with my Bible, moleskine, and some worship music. My whole goal was to spend some time with God before that day started.
I didn’t realize then that I would REALLY get to spend time with God.
There I was, reading my Bible, drinking expensive coffee, and listening to worship music on my iPhone, when a man tapped me on the shoulder. He asked me if I was staying in a hotel nearby; that maybe I could get some socks for him.
My response is embarrassing and hard to admit.
I told him about Passion and how we were taking up towels and socks, and that he could have a whole bunch if he would just be able to make it to the Georgia Dome (about a 30 minute walk). He glared back at me with a crooked smile that spoke louder than audible words. His squinted eyes said, “that’s what I thought.”
He walked away and I sat there, under the precious weight of the Holy Spirit. “What have I done?” I thought. I felt lower than low. I wouldn’t have been surprised if God Himself would have come down and asked for my badge; revoked my “membership” if you will. But we know that’s not how God works (thankfully).
I spent about 3-5 minutes wondering what I should do. I resolved to try to find him. So I grabbed my stuff, jumped up, and went looking for him. It wasn’t long before I found him on the ground level on Peachtree Street. I caught up to him and apologized profusely. I told him that I didn’t know what had gotten into me, but that I would love to give him my socks.
We had an odd interaction, which ended with me barefoot on Peachtree Street. I sat on these very steps, as he walked away.
I put my shoes (and socks) back on and went walking toward the Georgia Dome, crying the whole way. I couldn’t help but think of how good God has been to me, and how He has called me into ministry; yet I had a hard time finding it in my heart to give this gentleman the socks off my feet.
I begged God to forgive me and to change my heart. This was one of the steps that led to God calling me to plant a church.
Which leads me to an offering that I didn’t want to give to (are you seeing a theme develop yet?). Passion was taking up an offering to help in the war against human trafficking. I knew that our family couldn’t afford much. We are a one-income family with kids, who are trying to pay off debt. It doesn’t “make sense” to give.
And then I felt like God asked me to give $20. I need to make something extremely clear. I could afford to give $20. Most of the time, my “financial stewardship” was just covering up an intense selfishness. I would have just taken that $20 to Starbucks or something.
So I got in line to give. I saw the signs talking about all the things that could be done for a certain amount. I saw that there was a specific part of the project that would get done for $25, so I that’s what I gave. I walked away with a weight lifted off my shoulders, as if God had just broken a chain of selfishness in me.
One of my biggest struggles in my life is selfishness. You wouldn’t naturally look at me and say, “that dude’s generous.” You may think it’s silly, but that $25 broke something inside of me.
Afterward, there was a photobooth for those that gave. I chose the sign that said, “I gave to freedom.” I sure did. I felt like my DNA was starting to change, that God was shaping me into a new creation who was being formed into the image of His Son. One who was ultimately generous.
And then there’s the dream job. By the end of the event, God had moved greatly in my heart. I could have gone home an entire day before the event ended. I was so refreshed.
The last night of Passion 2012, I got a phone call from a friend. This friend had asked me to come to be a part of his youth ministry team. Without going into too much detail, I’ll say that this would have been a pretty awesome place to serve. First of all, I really like this guy. Not to mention, I agreed with the direction of the church and loved the staff. But I didn’t feel God leading me to go.
We had talked before and I told him that I didn’t feel like I should make the move. I felt like God was up to something and I didn’t think that I could do it.
So, my friend calls. I pick up. And he proceeds to tell me that I am the only person that he wants. All of the other candidates didn’t work out and the search has come down to me. And then he says three words that would make my heart skip a beat.
“Name your price.”
Do what?! Pardon me? “Name your price,” he said. I was stunned. On one hand, I felt wanted and that was really cool. On the other hand, my selfishness started to kick in. And quickly, my mind went to all those times that I had told him that I sensed that God was calling me to something different. And I knew in my heart that I had to say no. It wasn’t easy, but I told him, “no.”
How silly of me to think that I was just coming to a 4-day event with a few college students, right?
The next morning, we went to the final service where Louie would announce that we raised something crazy like $3.1 million! I felt like I was a part of that and my heart was overjoyed! That felt good!
Something happened during Louie’s message, though. I was tired, ready to go home, but something was stirring inside of me. He taught out of Ephesians 6 that morning. Paul’s words about boldly proclaiming the mystery of the gospel were doing something to my soul! Louie began to talk about how we shouldn’t be merely planning to boldly proclaim the Name of Jesus later, but to go ahead and proclaim His Name wherever we are!
And there, in the middle of that message, God clearly called me to plant a church! In the same moment, I sensed that He was saying, “You can plant a church wherever you want, but it sure seems like Ohio is your Jerusalem.”
I was actually born in Ohio.
We spent two years in Columbus right out of college.
My wife was born and raised in Ohio.
She didn’t leave until she went to college, where she met me.
I heard God clearly. He called us to plant a church! I got out my phone and texted Christi and told her what had just happened. It was hard to see what I was typing, as I was still crying. I’m sure the students next to me were wondering what was going on. It was kind of an ugly cry. Snot and all.
And that’s the genesis of all of this. It might be hard to believe, but this is the really short version of the story!
I know there will be tough times ahead, but I will always remember what God did in those days! In times when it seems hard to trust Him, I’ll remember the call. When we have the opportunity to structure our church in such a way that the homeless are forgotten, I’ll remember the gentleman that asked for my socks.
We’re moving forward with the confidence that He has called us!